Defender Johan Djourou has stated that he's not afraid of facing the world's best player in Lionel Messi.

The Swiss international has been a revelation for the side this season, with Arsenal remaining unbeaten this year, and many feel that this could be down to Djourou's presence in the team.

The Argentinian forward, who didn't have a brilliant World Cup, has scored 35 goals from 28 games, and scored four goals against Arsenal in last year's fixture at the Nou Camp.

And crucially, Djourou did not play in either of the fixtures against the Spanish giants last season. In fact, he spent the entire season recovering from injury, something which Arsenal fans have gotten quite frustrated about.

Whilst I'm not saying that he will be our Messiah, it's comforting that we have a reliable central defender in the team.

And Djourou says that he does not want to focus on Messi, Barcelona are a team full of quality in all areas of the pitch.

Djourou said: "Barcelona are a great team but it is not just about Messi.

"He has great, great service from players like Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta so we have to be focused as a group.

"We have to get behind the back and be together. It is how we can block the space for him to run into.

"You do not get scared [of facing Messi]. If I was scared, I wouldn't be playing tomorrow.

"You have to be excited not scared. It is true Messi is good one versus one but, as cover, we can be hard to beat.

"We know they are a great team going forward and we will have to defend well and be focused for 90 minutes.

"But do not forget we have great players as well. It will be interesting."

Arsene Wenger obviously remembers Theo Walcott’s brilliant performance against Barcelona last season, and is certain that the winger has improved tremendously since then and will be a definite starter in tonights game.

“Theo has improved tremendously as a football player this year,” said Wenger. “He is different in his links with the other players, his movement is sharper, his finishing is sharper.
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“He looks like he’s less nervous and much more relaxed. For me in the last six months he’s made a big leap forward and improved tremendously.

“He’s now a regular player in our team. Nobody wonders if he will play tomorrow or not, you know that I will start him. That has played a big part in his mind as well.

“Because he was at the World Cup at the age of 17 everyone forgets he is only 21. At that age other players are just starting their careers.”

Walcott, Nasri and Van Persie have all hit form at the right time, so if Arsenal are ever going to beat Barcelona, TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!

Arsene Wenger has reacted to yesterday’s statement from the ex-Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who said that Fabregas should return to Barcelona in the interests of “justice”. He implied that Arsenal had stolen Fabregas as a youngster.

Wenger strongly disagreed with his arrogant words, and hit back at Barca’s double standards. He said: “It’s part of the game. Where do they get their players? Where does Messi come from? Barcelona? At what age did they take him? Thirteen!”

“There’s no reason for any bitterness, because we did nothing illegal. Everything was legal. We did not force a gun somewhere. We respected the rules. They could come and take our players, we accept that as well.

“They take their players from all over the world. Don’t expect them only to get players from Catalonia.

“And you must remember that every young player in Catalonia wants to play for Barcelona. Not every young player in London wants to play for Arsenal. Some want to play for Tottenham, some for West Ham, some for Chelsea and some for QPR.

“In Barcelona they don’t have the same choice.”

The Swiss international expresses confidence in the Polish netminder ahead of Barcelona clash.

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou , who has established himself as the Gunners' top performing centre-back so far this season, says he is glad to have rookie goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks.

The Switzerland man lauded the 20-year-old's mentality and confidence in the Arsenal goal ever since taking charge from crocked 'keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

"I think he can look after himself," he told arsenal.com. "He has all the abilities and knows what he has to do. We do not have to [look out] for him.

"I have to say he is a great guy and a great goalkeeper. He has a lot of confidence and for a guy of his age to have that is quite impressive. He is very young but it looks as thought he has been in the game ages to me. It is great to have him behind you."

Djouruo pinpoints Szczesny's communication with his defence and ability to claim high balls as the keystones to the Pole's soaraway success, perhaps with a sprinkle of criticism towards former first choices Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.

"He shouts, he is very loud,", he said. "He has presence. He is quite big and is good for defenders. He is not scared about anything. He is a great guy - very confident. If he sees some things, he will tell you.


"I think when you have a keeper behind you who gives you more confidence who is vocal, and comes out for crosses, it is great."

Arsenal will face Barcelona tonight in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 and Szczesny is expected to make his 13th appearance of the season in goal.